Natalia Padilla has scored one goal and set up the others for Poland’s first ever Women’s European Championship win, 3-2 over Denmark in their final group game in Lucerne.

Denmark narrowly missed a great opportunity to take the lead in the eighth minute, Janni Thomsen volleying over Pernille Harder's cross from the right. They were quickly made to rue that missed chance as Poland scored their first-ever Women’s EURO finals goal at the other end to take a 13th-minute lead.

Only one team from eastern Europe made it to Euro 2025, and only three have ever made it to any Euros. The story is different in men's football, so why has women's football in the region struggled to make a mark?

Making a tournament is one thing - qualifying for the next one is a harder task. This is how less-established nations hope to change